FIRST BEDBUGS NOW STINK BUGS??

Bed bugs aren’t the only pest invading mid-Atlantic states this year: stink bugs are now posing a serious problem, causing damage to fruit and vegetable crops that has reached critical levels, the New York Times reported on Sunday. WTF AMERICA???

Although they don’t bite, the brown marmorated stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys) are a hassle for homeowners — particularly if they are stepped upon, causing the emission of a strong skunk-like odor.

However, stink bugs pose no known health dangers, and even the fruit they invade is edible once the hardened parts are removed. “Marmorated” refers to their marbled appearance.

Effective stink bug control begins with some do-it-yourself prevention, says Ehrlich Pest Control’s Kristin Golden Mancuso. As a home owner you can do a number of things to prevent stink bugs, such as:

• seal holes in exterior walls larger than the diameter of a pencil
• check door and window frames for holes
• ensure that door sweeps, doors and windows are tight-fitting and
• be sure your window screens fit tightly

Both live and dead stink bugs can be removed with a vacuum cleaner, however the vacuum may smell like stink bugs for a period of time. Some people prefer to sweep the stink bugs up using a broom and dust pan and will then discard them in an outdoor trash receptacle.

Royal Pest Management also says that prevention is most important and give detailed tips to make sure the smelly bugs don’t get in:

• Stink bugs are looking for a place to "overwinter" (hibernate). They are attracted to the brightest, most reflective side of the home (usually the south side) and then look for a way in for a cold/dark place to shut down and survive the winter. Seal all cracks and crevices on the sunny side of your home, especially.
• Stink bugs feed in trees in the summer and like leafy plants and fruits...like tomato plants. Cut back the leafy plants so they don’t touch your house. Keep them at least a foot to 18 inches from the house. If you have a vegetable garden near your home (less than 20 feet), especially tomatoes, pull them out.